Global warming and world soybean yields

The crop yield potential of world soybean from 2019 to 2028 has been projected using ARIMA model based on the yields from 1961 to 2018. Both annual global mean temperature and the yields of world soybean have been projected to rise during the ensuing decade 2019-2028. Projected average yields of world soybean varies from 2841 to 3276 kg ha-1 while 4324 to 4807 kg ha-1 in the case of top (national) yields of world soybean. Annual global mean temperatures may vary from 15.0 to 15.3oC and likely to exert positive impact on average yield (R squared = 0.80) while negative on top yield (R squared = 0.40) of world soybean. It may be concluded that for world soybean yields in 2019 to 2028, the opportunities for improving production should be dependent on both high and low-yielding countries as the yield remained between 30 and 70 per cent of potential limit i.e. in middle place around the turn-point of S-shaped curve in long-term trend partly affected by global warming.

Physiological demands of running at 2-hour marathon race pace

The requirements of running a 2 hour marathon have been extensively debated but the actual physiological demands of running at ~21.1 km/h have never been reported. We therefore conducted laboratory-based physiological evaluations and measured running economy (O2 cost) while running outdoors at ~21.1 km/h, in world-class distance runners as part of Nike's 'Breaking 2' marathon project. On separate days, 16 male distance runners (age, 29 ± 4 years; height, 1.72 ± 0.04 m; mass, 58.9 ± 3.3 kg) completed an incremental treadmill test for the assessment of V̇O2peak, O2 cost of submaximal running, lactate threshold and lactate turn-point, and a track test during which they ran continuously at 21.1 km/h. The laboratory-determined V̇O2peak was 71.0 ± 5.7 ml/kg/min with lactate threshold and lactate turn-point occurring at 18.9 ± 0.4 and 20.2 ± 0.6 km/h, corresponding to 83 ± 5 % and 92 ± 3 % V̇O2peak, respectively. Seven athletes were able to attain a steady-state V̇O2 when running outdoors at 21.1 km/h. The mean O2 cost for these athletes was 191 ± 19 ml/kg/km such that running at 21.1 km/h required an absolute V̇O2 of ~4.0 L/min and represented 94 ± 3 % V̇O2peak. We report novel data on the O2 cost of running outdoors at 21.1 km/h, which enables better modelling of possible marathon performances by elite athletes. Using the value for O2 cost measured in this study, a sub-2 hour marathon would require a 59 kg runner to sustain a V̇O2 of approximately 4.0 L/min or 67 ml/kg/min.

Zoocentrism in the weeds? Cultivating plant models for cognitive yield

It remains at best controversial to claim, non-figuratively, that plants are cognitive agents. At the same time, it is taken as trivially true that many (if not all) animals are cognitive agents, arguably through an implicit or explicit appeal to natural science. Yet, any given definition of cognition implicates at least some further processes, such as perception, action, memory, and learning, which must be observed either behaviorally, psychologically, neuronally, or otherwise physiologically. Crucially, however, for such observations to be intelligible, they must be counted as evidence for some model. These models in turn point to homologies of physiology and behavior that facilitate the attribution of cognition to some non-human animals. But, if one is dealing with a model of animal cognition, it is tautological that only animals can provide evidence, and absurd to claim that plants can. The more substantive claim that, given a general model of cognition, only animals but not plants can provide evidence, must be evaluated on its merits. As evidence mounts that plants meet established criteria of cognition, from physiology to behavior, they continue to be denied entry into the cognitive club. We trace this exclusionary tendency back to Aristotle, and attempt to counter it by drawing on the philosophy of modelling and a range of findings from plant science. Our argument illustrates how a difference in degree between plant and animals is typically mistaken for a difference in kind.

Boltzmann and the Heuristics of Representation in Statistical Mechanics

Boltzmann’s work in physics has been studied almost always opposing a strictly mechanical approach of the 2nd law of thermodynamics – attributed to his first works in kinetic – molecular gas theory (1866-1871) – to a probabilistic approach, built and developed in his later works (1872-1884). The analysis of the use of these different approaches covers a spectrum of positions ranging from the recognition of an intrinsic incoherence to Boltzmann’s thinking, go through a radical change in the development of his work, until the adoption of pluralistic strategies as justifications for their methodological options. The purpose of this paper is to explore Boltzmann’s research program from the view of what we characterize as heuristics of representation, highlighting the tools used he used for the solution of problems related to thermal phenomena. We will argue that what in the standard historiographical analysis is understood as a radical turn in Boltzmann’s work – probabilistic “turn point”, that is, the use of an overtly statistical terminology (combinatorial formalism, 1877) instead of a kinetic language (kinetic formalism, 1872) in the analysis of evolution toward the thermal equilibrium (Maxwell’s distribution) – could be better understood as a change of representation within the same conceptual framework.

β-D-Mannuronic Acid (M2000) as a landmark in Pharmacology.

Objectives: The goal of this article is to retrace the β-D-Mannuronic Acid (M2000) studies as a new immunosuppressive drug with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) property in miscellaneous aspects including in vitro, in vivo examinations clinical trials and related to clinical trials studies. Our goal is to compare the effect of this drug with other similar drugs through varied researches and to follow tolerability, biocompatibility, potency, safety, and efficacy of this medication in different studies, as well as to evaluate its therapeutic effectiveness in various diseases. Materials and methods: Different methods were applied in the studies of β-D-Mannuronic Acid under in vitro, in vivo examinations, and clinical trials phase I, II and III and related investigations to these clinical trials using different techniques showing the efficacy of this medication in the treatment of various diseases. Results: The administration of β-D-Mannuronic Acid showed the greatest tolerability and biocompatibility compared to diclofenac, piroxicam, and dexamethasone without or very low side effects. The drug has shown a punchy effect on many molecules which participate either in physiologic or in pathogenic activities in animal models and human. This new drug not only revealed the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties but also based on the results of various investigations, β-D-Mannuronic Acid showed the antidiabetic, cardioprotective and anti-tumoral effects. Conclusion: β-D-Mannuronic Acid (M2000) as a novel immunosuppressive drug with NSAID properties along with antidiabetic, cardioprotective and anti-tumoral efficacy showed great tolerability and safety profile. In addition, it has no or mild adverse events compared with many other medicines, therefore this medicament could be considered as a landmark in pharmacology and represent turn point in the treatment of different diseases based on the experimental and in vitro studies explained and clinical and related studies proved.

Experimental Study of the Influence of Light Intensity on Solar ORC Power Generation System

A low temperature (<393K) solar Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power generation experimental facility was designed and built. The heat pipe evacuated tubular collector was selected as the solar collector. A scroll expander was used as the expander and the working fluid was R600a. The influence of light intensity variation on system performance has been studied. The results indicate that the system efficiency and thermoelectric efficiency of the experimental facility can reach to 2.2% and 4.4%, respectively. The thermoelectric efficiency and power decrease with the decrease of the heat transfer fluid temperature. There is a turn point in the variation of these performance parameters at high flow rate. The heat transfer fluid temperature at the turn point is about 75°C at the working fluid flow rate of 200L/h. The system efficiency decreases with the decrease of light intensity. There is a turn point light intensity Itpi. The system efficiency varies slowly when the light intensity is higher than Itpi. The experimental results are of great significance for the new design of low temperature solar ORC power generation system.

Política para a gestão de livros digitais

This article discusses what are e-books, the possibilities of acquisition and the difficulties of use and access of these resources observed by libraries. The importance of information literacy and its relationship to electronic books is displayed, and how the skills and abilities are used as a turn point is analyzed. Reports of experiences of information literacy and e-books in libraries in United States and United Kingdom are presented with the difficulties and solutions developed related to the location and use of e-books, providing reference to Brazilian university libraries, related to finding and utilizing e-books. Concludes stressing the importance of develop of information literacy in the use of e-books by libraries as a management tool.